Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), a Belgian university, is launching an innovative combined heat and power (CHP) system on its Etterbeek campus. With an investment of two million euros, this project promises a significant reduction in CO2 emissions. It's one step closer to climate neutrality, the goal of the university's Climate Action Plan.
As of 18 December, the VUB has reached a new milestone in its sustainability efforts. The university has invested two million euros in a CHP system on the Etterbeek campus. Aside from being a technological marvel, the system also contributes to reducing CO2 emissions by about 1,000 tonnes a year.
Climate neutrality by 2050 at the latest
The VUB has a clear goal in mind: climate neutrality by 2050 at the latest. The university's Climate Action Plan, a project aimed at addressing environmental and climate challenges, plays an important role in achieving this goal.
Maarten Cumps, energy coordinator at VUB, explains: "This plan helps our university to achieve important interim targets by 2030. These are in line with global efforts to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees. The installation of the CHP system is a key element in this process. It will enable us to self-generate around 50% of the electricity demand on campus Etterbeek, and contribute to a significant reduction in CO2 emissions."
High efficiency
CHP is an efficient method of energy generation, in which electricity and heat are produced simultaneously from the same energy source. This particular plant generates around 40% electricity and 60% (residual) heat, with most of this residual heat being used to heat buildings during the winter months. Compared to modern natural gas power plants, which often lose the released heat, the VUB's CHP offers significantly higher overall efficiency, and a significant reduction in CO2 emissions.
50% of the electricity needs of Etterbeek campus
The total investment in the project is around two million euros, with an expected payback period of only two years, depending on energy prices. The CHP, a Siemens machine with a capacity of 1.6 MWe, is expected to run about 5,000 hours a year. It generates about 6,500 MWh of electricity, equivalent to 50% of the electricity needs of the Etterbeek campus.
Greenhouse technology
The technology did not emerge in isolation. ''CHP units are normally widely found in Dutch and Flemish greenhouse horticulture." Thanks to a combination of highly electrically efficient (45.7%) combined heat and power, and a DeNOx installation developed by Dordtech and Emission Blue, it's highly efficient, and can save 15% of gas.
For more information:
Dordrecht 
[email protected]
www.dordtech.nl